Florida Uncontested Divorce Final Hearing Checklist

A final hearing is the court date where a judge decides whether to grant the divorce, which Florida court papers call a dissolution of marriage. The courts' general information explains that judges hold final hearings on uncontested or default cases and trials on contested cases [4]. "Uncontested" means the spouses agree on the issues [4]. This checklist gathers only what the official Florida family law form instructions say should be done or ready. Local rules differ, so the instructions repeatedly point people to the clerk's office, family law intake staff, or the judge's assistant for local steps [2].

Items are grouped by the petition used. For a full list of forms in order, see Florida divorce forms, in order.

Simplified dissolution, Form 12.901(a)

These items come from the instructions to the Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage [1].

• Both spouses attend, at the same time. The instructions say both spouses must attend the final hearing [1].
• Proof that one spouse has lived in Florida long enough. The instructions accept a valid Florida driver's license, Florida identification card, or voter registration card issued to one spouse at least 6 months before filing [1]. They also accept testimony from another person who knows that one spouse has lived in Florida for more than 6 months and "is available to testify in court," or an Affidavit of Corroborating Witness, Form 12.902(i), signed by such a person in front of the clerk or a notary public [1].
• Final Judgment of Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, Form 12.990(a). Depending on the area, the spouses either complete this form and bring it, or the court prepares it at the hearing [1].
• Filing fee and cover sheet. The instructions list paying the filing fee (or applying for indigent status) and completing a Family Court Cover Sheet, Form 12.928 [1].
• Settlement paperwork. If the agreement is written, the Marital Settlement Agreement, Form 12.902(f)(3), is filed; the petition also asks whether financial affidavits are being filed or a Form 12.902(k) waiver was signed [1].

The instructions say that "if all of the papers are in order," the court may grant a final judgment by signing it [1]. See the Form 12.901(a) guide for more.

Regular uncontested dissolution, Forms 12.901(b)(1) and 12.901(b)(2)

Before asking for a hearing date

• All required papers are filed. Each petition's instructions include a list headed "With this form, you must also file the following" [2]. For a case with children, the list includes the UCCJEA Affidavit, a Notice of Social Security Number, proof of residence, the financial affidavit, the Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Disclosure, and a parenting plan [2]. Some of these have their own timing or exceptions, including the financial affidavit, described in the next item [2].
• Mandatory disclosure is done. In an uncontested case, the instructions describe setting a final hearing after the spouses have "complied with mandatory disclosure and filed all of the required papers" [2]. Form 12.932 is the certificate used to tell the court and the other party that this was done [7]. If not filed with the petition, the Form 12.901(b)(2) instructions say the financial affidavit is due within 45 days after the petition is served [3]. They say the same for the certificate, "unless you and your spouse have agreed not to exchange these documents" [3]. Separately, the Florida Supreme Court's 2023 amendment to Rule 12.285 allows parties to waive filing financial affidavits with the court in certain circumstances, "although the affidavits must still be exchanged by the parties" [12]. The Form 12.932 instructions refer to this as executing and filing Form 12.902(k) [7]. Separately, the current Form 12.902(c) instructions say the financial affidavit form is used unless one of three situations applies: a simplified dissolution in which both parties have waived filing financial affidavits; the parties have no minor children, no support issues, and have filed a written settlement agreement disposing of all financial issues; or the court lacks jurisdiction to determine any financial issues [14].
• Proof of service is on file. After a private process server serves the papers, proof of service must be filed with the clerk [9]. If the sheriff mails the proof of service back, the instructions say to file it with the clerk [9].
• The respondent's response, or a default. A respondent may file Form 12.903(a), which says the respondent does not need to be notified of or attend the final hearing [10]. If no answer was filed, a Motion for Default, Form 12.922(a), comes first [2].
• Local prerequisites. Some circuits require mediation or a parenting course before a final hearing can be set [6].

Cases with minor children

• Parenting course. In a dissolution with minor children, Florida law requires the parties to complete a parenting course before the final judgment [13]. Unless the court excuses it, the petitioner must complete it within 45 days after filing and the other party within 45 days after service [13]. Each party files proof of completion before the final judgment, and the court may excuse attendance or late completion for good cause [13].
• Parenting plan. If the parents agree, a signed and notarized Parenting Plan is attached [2].

Setting the hearing and giving notice

• Coordinate the date. The Form 12.923 instructions say setting a hearing usually means a good-faith effort to find a time that works for the parties and the judge [5].
• Send the right notice of hearing. For a hearing before a judge, the instructions name the Notice of Hearing (General), Form 12.923, and say it must still be sent to the other party even when a default has been entered [5]. They name Form 12.920(c) for a hearing before a general magistrate and Form 12.921 for a hearing before a child support enforcement hearing officer [5].
• Accessibility requests. The notice form says a person with a disability who needs an accommodation should contact the listed court staff at least 7 days before the court appearance, or immediately on receiving the notice if fewer than 7 days remain [5].

The final judgment form

The official instructions say to ask the clerk or family law intake staff whether to bring a final judgment form to the hearing [4]. If one is needed, the instructions say to type or print the heading (circuit, county, case number, division, and the parties' names) and leave the rest blank for the judge [2]. For a case with children, the uncontested form is Form 12.990(b)(1) [2].

What the judge's final judgment form covers

Reading the official final judgment form in advance shows what the court will be finding. Form 12.990(b)(1), the uncontested final judgment for a case with children, includes findings that at least one party lived in Florida for more than 6 months immediately before filing [8]. It also finds that the marriage is irretrievably broken, that the parties signed a Marital Settlement Agreement and Parenting Plan, that "each party has filed the required Family Law Financial Affidavit," and that the Parenting Plan is in the children's best interests [8].

Florida law says the evidence at the hearing does not need to be backed up by other proof, except the evidence that the residence requirement is met [11].

Two reminders from the general instructions

• Do not contact the judge alone. The courts' general information says not to "speak with or write to the judge" unless the other party is present or has been properly notified [4].
• Keep financial information current. After mandatory disclosure, each spouse has a continuing duty to promptly share new information that changes their financial status, according to the Form 12.932 instructions [7].

Questions

What should I bring to an uncontested divorce final hearing in Florida?

The instructions say to ask the clerk or family law intake staff whether to bring a final judgment form [4]. In a simplified dissolution, the instructions list proof of residence (a valid Florida ID or voter card issued at least 6 months before filing, a qualifying witness available to testify, or a qualifying witness's Affidavit of Corroborating Witness) and, in some areas, a completed Form 12.990(a) [1].

Does my spouse have to attend the final hearing?

In a simplified dissolution, the instructions say both spouses must attend [1]. In a regular case, a respondent who files Form 12.903(a) states that they do not need to be notified of or attend the final hearing [10].

Is a parenting course required before the divorce is final?

In a dissolution with minor children, Florida law requires it before the final judgment, ordinarily within 45 days after filing for the petitioner and within 45 days after service for the other party [13]. The court may excuse attendance or late completion for good cause [13].

Do I still send a notice of hearing if my spouse never answered?

Yes. The Form 12.923 instructions say that even if a default has been entered, the notice must still be sent to the other party [5].

Related guides

• Florida Divorce Without a Lawyer — the Official Forms, in Order
• Florida Form 12.901(a) — Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Explained
• Florida Form 12.901(b)(1): Divorce Petition With Children, Explained
• Florida Legal Glossary for Family Law and Landlord-Tenant Cases